Picture an idyllic island beach setting and then add one of the best technical dive clubs in the world!  That’s Gili Trawangan..  one of the three small islands off the north coast of Lombok.

Accessible by local boat from Lombok or by speed boat from Bali (I recommend Blue Water Express), Gili Trawangan is an island without motorised transport (a few electric scooters have appeared recently) and a very laid back attitude.

Accommodation on the island ranges from your standard backpacker homestay to hotels and private villas.  I normally stay at a private villa to have the peace and quite in the afternoons when the sun is high!  With a private plunge pool, day beds and air-conditioning it’s worth the little extra.

I always dive with Blue Marlin Dive having completed my PADI open water with them back in the 1990’s.  Since then I’ve continued to learn and have now moved into the TDI technical diving world – Advanced Trimix.